Bumper viewing figures for the Crabbie's Grand National

6th April 2014

The Jockey Club, the largest commercial group in British horseracing, which includes Aintree Racecourse, today expressed delight at what its Group Chief Executive described as “another stellar result for racing and Channel 4” after a peak audience of 8.5 million people tuned into the sport’s exclusive terrestrial TV broadcaster to watch the first £1 million Crabbie’s Grand National.

The world’s most famous steeplechase – won by 25/1 chance Pineau De Re – attracted a bumper viewing share of 56.3 percent during the audience peak.

The Channel 4 afternoon broadcast was Saturday’s most watched TV moment in the UK, exceeding the peak of prime-time shows including the Final of The Voice. It is only the second time Channel 4 has broadcast the Grand National, achieving peak viewing figures in excess of 8 million on both occasions.

Aintree welcomed crowds of nearly 150,000 people to enjoy three days of world-class Jumps racing, including a record 71,500 on Crabbie’s Grand National Day.

Simon Bazalgette, Group Chief Executive of The Jockey Club, said:

“We’re very proud that the first £1 million Crabbie’s Grand National has been enjoyed by millions of people around the country on television, in betting shops, on the radio and online. It is the annual sporting moment that stops the nation and a peak TV audience of 8.5 million is another stellar result for racing and Channel 4.

“Congratulations to all involved; John Baker and his team have done another fantastic job delivering the event at Aintree and the Channel 4 team should receive huge credit for the way they have gone about promoting and covering this sporting crown jewel.

“In the big picture, fixture-by-fixture viewing figures are not how we consider the success of our four year partnership with Channel 4, but it is important our biggest shop window remains strong and healthy.

“As well as a better financial deal for British racing, 2013 saw more than 40 percent of the UK watch Channel 4 Racing, some fantastic promotion for the sport outside the main racing broadcast and an increase in the number of young people tuning in regularly week-in, week-out, which is encouraging.”